Parliaments across the UK have returned from Summer recess, and the Campaigns Team are working flat out ahead of the Westminster Budget later this month.  

In a regular series for WB Online, the CAMRA Campaigns Team share the work that has been going on across Westminster, the devolved parliaments and local government to campaign in support of consumers, pubs, clubs, cider and perry.   

WESTMINSTER 

Autumn Budget – submission to the Chancellor

Ahead of the Budget on 27 October, we prepared a detailed submission to the Chancellor. 

The policy recommendations in our submission are: 

For thriving pubs: 

• A new Draught Beer Duty rate 
• A fairer business rates system for pubs 
• A permanent VAT cut for hospitality businesses 

For a strong and diverse brewing sector: 

• Positive reform of Small Brewers’ Relief 
• Increasing the abv threshold for the lower strength Beer Duty band 

For supporting cider makers: 

• A progressive duty system for cider producers 

• Raising the minimum juice content for cider 

Ahead of COP26, we have also taken the opportunity to highlight where the policy recommendations tie into the Government’s environmental agenda.  

You can read the submission here.

Autumn Budget – e-lobby and campaign pack for CAMRA branches 

Our e-lobby ahead of the Budget has is now live! You can take part here. 

Fill in the form, and it will match you with your MP and give you a template email that you edit and send, asking them to write to the Chancellor about CAMRA’s key asks for this Budget.*

To coincide with the e-lobby launch, we wrote to the Chancellor about our campaign for a new Draught Beer Duty rate. You can read the press release and full letter here. 

We also put together a Campaign Pack for CAMRA branches which includes links to the e-lobby tool, social media graphics and template social media copy. You can download the pack here.

SCOTLAND  

Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs – secretariat provided by CAMRA 

Talks are ongoing to find a new Convenor for the Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament and we should be able to make an announcement soon, followed by a programme of meetings, visits and events.  

COVID passports

These have now been introduced in Scotland for nightclubs only. We will monitor developments as they are introduced in the coming days and weeks to see if they are having any adverse impact on pubs with late night opening.  

WALES  

Preparatory work in underway to launch a campaign urging Members of the Senedd and the Welsh Government to commit to reforming permitted development rights in order to offer better protections for pubs. 

COVID passports

The Welsh Government has committed to the introduction of COVID passports for ‘nightclubs and events’. We are awaiting further details on the specifics of this proposed scheme. 

NORTHERN IRELAND  

COVID recovery and re-opening

Indoor capacity restrictions have now been lifted, and social distancing restrictions will be lifted from the end of this month. You can read our press comment on the announcement here.

Licensing legislation

The first tranche of changes introduced by the recent Licensing Act will come into force from 1st October, including longer opening hours. 

We are waiting for a date to meet with civil servants to discuss work on secondary legislation which needs to be introduced in order to allow breweries and cider producers to open shops, sell online and apply for a taproom licence.  

LABOUR AND CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCES 

We held joint receptions with the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group in Brighton (Labour – Toby Perkins MP hosting) and Manchester (Conservative – Mike Wood MP hosting). NE, RD and branch representatives were invited to each event.   

That’s all for this PUBlic Affairs Round Up – we’ll be back in a month or so to let you know about the latest government-facing campaigning taking place across the UK. 

As always, if any CAMRA member wants campaigning advice, the Campaigns Team is here to help – please email campaigns@camra.org.uk  

Cheers! 

Ellie Hudspith, Paul Edgeworth and Cam Weddell – the CAMRA Campaigns Team 

 

* Please note, following the sad death of James Brokenshire MP last week, we have removed his contact from the e-lobby so people living in Bexley and Old Sidcup will not be able to take part this time round.